LPB U23 Round 10 (Regular Season): Panama Metro beat Panama Norte in a derby game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Panama City: Panama Metro (#2) and Panama Norte (#5). Panama Metro (13-1) smashed visiting Panama Norte (9-5) by 26 points 100-74. Panama Metro looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Point guard Guillermo Navarro (181-2003) fired a triple-double by scoring 26 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists for the winners. Jhonny Murillo chipped in 31 points. Rodolfo De La Espada produced 13 points for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Panama Metro have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 13-1 record having nine points less than leader Colon. Panama Norte at the other side keeps the fifth place with five games lost. Panama Metro are looking forward to face Bocas Del Toro (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Panama Norte will play against Cocle and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Undefeated leader Colon delivered the eighteenth consecutive victory. This time they crushed 7th ranked Bocas Del Toro (8-9) 106-71. Worth to mention a great performance of Hammurabi De Leon who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds. Jeffrey Vega contributed with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals for the winners. Forward Juan Lewis (181-2004) replied with 30 points and 9 rebounds for Bocas Del Toro. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Undefeated Colon (18-0) have an impressive 11-game winning streak. They maintain first position with a perfect record of 18 victories in a row. Bocas Del Toro at the other side keeps the seventh place with nine games lost. Colon will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Bocas Del Toro will play at home against the league's second-placed Panama Metro (#2) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in Panama City between Chiriqui and Panama Oeste. Eighth ranked Chiriqui (6-10) got a very close victory on the road over 9th ranked Panama Oeste (4-8). Chiriqui managed to escape with a 3-point win 67-64 in the fight for the eighth place. Albert Flores scored 9 points and 12 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners. At the losing side Anthony Jones responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 16 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Chiriqui maintains eighth position with 6-10 record. Loser Panama Oeste keeps the ninth place with eight games lost. Chiriqui will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Panama Oeste's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Panama City Panama Este.

In the last game of round 10 Veraguas were defeated by Cocle in Penonome 75-70.



Bocas Del Toro - Colon 71-106

Undefeated leader Colon delivered the eighteenth consecutive victory. This time they crushed 7th ranked Bocas Del Toro (8-9) 106-71. Colon forced 35 Bocas Del Toro turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Hammurabi De Leon who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds. Jeffrey Vega contributed with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals for the winners. Five Colon players scored in double figures. Forward Juan Lewis (181-2004) replied with 30 points and 9 rebounds and Roberto Mitchell added 11 points and 12 rebounds in the effort for Bocas Del Toro. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Colon (18-0) have an impressive 11-game winning streak. They maintain first position with a perfect record of 18 victories in a row. Bocas Del Toro at the other side keeps the seventh place with nine games lost. Colon will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Bocas Del Toro will play at home against the league's second-placed Panama Metro (#2) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Bocas Del Toro: J.Lewis 30+9reb+2ast, J.Lewis 12+8reb+1ast, R.Mitchell 11+12reb+3ast, L.Gordn 8+3reb+5ast, N.Sthepen 3+6reb+4ast, D.Walter 3+2reb+2ast
Colon: D.Armuelles 16+2reb+1ast, J.Zapata 16+3reb+1ast, H.De Leon 13+11reb+2ast, D.Laguna 13+4reb+2ast, R.Paul 12+4reb+3ast, J.Vega 10+7reb+4ast

Cocle - Veraguas 75-70

There was no surprise in Penonome where 6th ranked Veraguas (9-8) were defeated by third ranked Cocle (12-7) 75-70 on Saturday. Strangely Veraguas outrebounded Cocle 50-37 including 36 on the defensive glass. Swingman Joshua Lemon (180) scored 25 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Joseph Ceville chipped in 19 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Carlos Moreno responded with 30 points and 9 rebounds and Marlon Madrid produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 16 rebounds. Cocle maintains third position with 12-7 record having five points less than leader Colon. Veraguas lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with eight games lost. Cocle will meet Panama Norte (#5) in the next round. Veraguas will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Veraguas: C.Moreno 30+9reb+3ast, J.Toruno 16+9reb+1ast, M.Madrid 11+16reb+2ast, S.Vergara 9+9reb+2ast, D.Ortiz 2+3reb+3ast, R.Franco 2+3reb
Cocle: J.Lemon 25+7reb+7ast, J.Ceville 19+10reb+1ast, F.Gonzalez 16+12reb+1ast, A.Sanchez 7+2reb, J.Espinosa 4+1reb+4ast, W.Bonilla 2+1ast

Panama Metro - Panama Norte 100-74

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Panama City: Panama Metro (#2) and Panama Norte (#5). Panama Metro (13-1) smashed visiting Panama Norte (9-5) by 26 points 100-74. Panama Metro looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Point guard Guillermo Navarro (181-2003) fired a triple-double by scoring 26 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists for the winners. Jhonny Murillo chipped in 31 points. Rodolfo De La Espada produced 13 points and point guard Gonzalo Ortiz Jr (182-2002) added 8 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Panama Metro have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 13-1 record having nine points less than leader Colon. Panama Norte at the other side keeps the fifth place with five games lost. Panama Metro are looking forward to face Bocas Del Toro (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Panama Norte will play against Cocle and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Panama Norte: D.Castano 15+1reb+1ast, R.De La Espada 13+4reb+1ast, K.Vega 9+2reb, J.Mendoza 8+3reb+1ast, G.Ortiz Jr. 8+6reb+4ast, D.Green 7+3reb+1ast
Panama Metro: J.Murillo 31+1reb+1ast, G.Navarro 26+11reb+11ast, D.Duque 13+7reb+4ast, B.Lasso 9+4reb+3ast, E.Brown 8+2reb, J.Beckford 5+5reb

Panama Oeste - Chiriqui 64-67

A very close game took place in Panama City between Chiriqui and Panama Oeste. Eighth ranked Chiriqui (6-10) got a very close victory on the road over 9th ranked Panama Oeste (4-8). Chiriqui managed to escape with a 3-point win 67-64 in the fight for the eighth place. Chiriqui forced 30 Panama Oeste turnovers. Albert Flores scored 9 points and 12 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Jahir Lizondro chipped in 7 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals during the contest. At the losing side Anthony Jones responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 16 rebounds and Antonio Correa scored 16 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Chiriqui maintains eighth position with 6-10 record. Loser Panama Oeste keeps the ninth place with eight games lost. Chiriqui will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Panama Oeste's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Panama City Panama Este.
Top scorers:
Panama Oeste: A.Correa 16+8reb, A.Jones 15+16reb+3ast, J.Ortiz 10+1reb, D.Torrenegra 8+2reb+1ast, L.Brown 7+2reb, K.Thompson 4+1reb
Chiriqui: P.Toruno 13+4reb, J.Arauz 10+4reb+2ast, J.Leon 10+7reb, A.Flores 9+12reb+1ast, D.Ramirez 8+2reb+2ast, J.Lizondro 7+6reb+6ast